Envelope with hanger support



March 25, 1952 Q s. ROBINS 2,590,273

ENVELOPE WITH HANGER SUPPORT Filed May 15, 1950 A MW jazzy/12 Patented Mar. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE In mailing items such as paper ornaments, etc., which include a flexible cord or similar hanger by which they may be suspended, it is desirable to provide means whereby the end of the hanger cord (or the hook or hanging ring with which it is customarily provided) may be secured in some fixed position on the envelope where it is readily accessible when the envelope is opened. Ordinarily it is deemed preferable to secure the hanger under the envelope flap so that when the envelope is opened, either by slitting the flap or by breaking the adhesive thereon, the hanger will be in a prominent and easily accessible position where it may be conveniently grasped to lift the ornament attached thereto from the interior of the envelope.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide means for securing the terminal portion of a hanger in predetermined position on a paper article such as an ordinary mailing envelope. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a combination of a hanger fitting and supporting structures so related that the hanger may be easily assembled in position on its support, but will be securely retained thereon in such a manner that it is unlikely to be accidentally dislodged even by considerable tumbling, jostling or rough treatment in transit through the mails.

A further object is to provide interlocking parts between the flexible hanger and the envelope whereby the hanger may be secured under the fiap of a mailing envelope in a manner sufficiently secure so that it is not likely to be dislodged therefrom when in transit through the mails, yet is easily accessible for intentional removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger as noted above, wherein the hanger includes a terminal hook designed to be secured on a paper tab positioned under the envelope flap, with the hook and the paper tab so shaped and related to each other that they may be physically interlocked by twisting movement of the hook relative to the envelope tab.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unique configuration of terminal hook and tab adapted to interlock with each other as aforesaid, yet so shaped and proportioned that the hook may be initially secured to the tab quickly, conveniently and without distorting or tearing the paper thereof.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such an interlocking tab and terminal fitting for a mailing envelope wherein the tab is die-cut directly into one of the exterior surfaces of the envelope, so that a portion of the hook or terminal fitting of the hanger is visible and accessible from the outside of the envelope when sealed.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide means for modifying or adapting conventional mailing envelopes to the present purpose by the addition of means for supporting such a hanger terminal fitting therein.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in this invention by providing a paper mailing envelope having a supporting tab for the hanger, preferably with said tab being formed by die-cutting notches on the free edge of the paper just inside the envelope flap, so that when the fiap is folded down it is effective to hold the terminal fitting of the hanger on its tab.

In addition to the above, the present invention contemplates forming the terminal fitting of the hanger as a uniquely shaped hook having its parts so related to the tab as to fit in interlocking relation thereon and to thus avoid any possibility of accidental dislodgement.

The preferred means of practicing the teachings of this invention are illustrated in the drawings hereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an envelope and ornamental card therein showing a hanger constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmental elevational view of the hanger illustrated in Figure 1 in a position it assumes during attachment;

Figure 3 is a fragmental illustration similar to Figure 2, but showing the hanger secured in position on the attaching tab of the envelope;

Figure 4 is a fragmental elevational view of a modified form of the invention, showing the attaching tab as being die-cut through the envelope flap, the parts being shown in the position they assume prior to sealing of the envelope;

Figure 5 is a fragmental elevational view of the form of the invention shown in Figure 4, but illustrating this modification of the invention as it appears when the envelope is sealed;

Figure 6 is an elevational view of another modified form of the invention, illustrating the supporting tab as being formed by a die-cut through the front panel of the envelope;

Figure '7 is a fragmental elevational view of a filler card for a conventional mailing envelope, showing a supporting tab formed in the upper edge thereof; and

Figure 8 is a, fragmental elevational view of a further modification of the invention, wherein a conventional mailing envelope is adapted to use in the present invention by the addition of an adhesively secured tab under the flap thereof.

The mailing piece illustrated in Figures 1 to inclusive, includes a rectangular envelope generally designated as ID which, as illustrated, has a front panel II having reverse folds I2 and I3 at the opposite sides thereof terminating in overlapping back flaps I4 and I5, which are adhesively secured together at I6. As shown, the lower edge of the envelope comprises a reverse fold II terminating in a back flap I8 which is adhesively secured to the flaps I4 and I5. The flaps I4 and I are cut back at 2| to facilitate access to the mouth or open side of the envelope, and the envelope is provided with a closure flap 22 hinged to the front panel along the crease or fold line 23, and provided with an adhesive 24 for sealing. The uppermost free edge 25 of the back flap I5 is die-cut or notched at 25 to provide a supporting tab 21, the enlarged head portion of which is separated from the panel I5 by a relatively narrow neck portion 28.

As previously stated, it is contemplated that the ornaments or fiat ornamental shapes to be mailed in the envelope be provided with some type of flexible hanger, preferably a cord with a wire ring or hook thereon as a terminal fitting. The fitting 54 consists of a single integral piece of wire having an eye and a relatively long shank portion 35 which, as shown, is oifset at 3?, and an end portion 38 at an acute angle to the shank 36 and terminating in a reverse bend 39 extending back toward the eye 35 and at an angle converging with the shank 36 of the structure. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3fthe end portion 38 of the hook is somewhat narrower than the enlarged head 27 of the supporting tab, but is slightly wider at the neck 28 thereof, so that when the hook is in the position of Figure 3, it is securely interlocked on the tab. Also, when the flap 22 is closed over the hook in the position of Figure 1, it will hold the hook so that it cannot accidentally be dislodged.

The hook may be locked in place without tearing the tab, however, since the shank portion 35 is enough longer than the width of the tab 2'! so that the hook may be first inserted by placing it in the position of Figure 2 and then swinging the eye portion 35 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrows 4| to lock the hook and tab together. It follows that the hook is unlikely to be dislodged accidentally, particularly since when the envelope is sealed, the flap 22 will fold downwardly on the line of the crease 23 and will closely overlie the end of the tab 21, so that the hook cannot be lifted directly upwardly therefrom, nor can it swing sumciently beyond the position illustrated in Figure 2 so that it can release itself from the tab and from the notches 26.

The forms of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, 5 and 6 differ from that just described in that the hanger supporting tab is formed by making a die-cut through one of the exterior surfaces of the envelope rather than in the upper edge of the back flap I5. In Figures 4 and 5, the tab 42 is formed by a curved die-cut 43 through the closure fiap 38 of the envelope, the die-cut 53 preferably terminating in holes 44 and 45 to form a relatively narrow neck portion 46 of the tab. With this form or the invention, the terminal hanger or hook 34 is placed in the posi tion shown in Figure 4 prior to sealing of the envelope, so that when the flap is sealed down as illustrated in Figure 5, the end portion 38 of the hook will project through the openings 44 and 45 and will lie across the neck of the tab 42 at an exposed point where it will be easily visible to the recipient of the envelope. The same result is obtained in the modification of the invention shown in Figure 6, except that in the latter case the tab 47 and holes 48 and 49 are die-cut in the front panel 5! of the envelope. Thus, in this form of the invention the end of the hanger hook will also be exposed, except that it will be exposed on the forward face of the envelope rather than on the sealing flap thereof.

As thus far described, the invention contemplates the employment of an envelope including a die-cut directly formed thereon, but this is a matter of choice and not essential to the present teachings, since, if desired, conventional envelopes may be used by employing a flap support such as shown in Figures 7 or 8. In Figure 7, a rectangular card, 52 of size and shape to fit the envelope is employed, with the upper edge 53 of the card die-cut at 54 to provide an enlarged tab 55 joined to the main body of the card by the relatively narrow neck 56. Thus, when this card is inserted in an envelope of corresponding size and shape, the edge 53 of the card will lie immediately adjacent the fold of the envelopes closure flap and will serve as a support for the hanger in the same manner as heretofore described. It is unnecessary, however, to have the card of the same size as the envelope since, if desired, a smaller card 57 may be adhesively secured to the inside of the envelope and provided with a tab 53 and narrow neck 59, so that it will function in the identical manner just described (Figure 8) Thus, in any of the illustrated forms of the invention, the terminal fitting of the hanger is held against dislodgement by two separate but coacting means. The first is the physical interlock between the hook and the tab, which prevents dislodgement of the hook therefrom under any circumstances except by rotating the hook to the position shown in Figure 2. The second is by the closure flap which overlies the uppermost end of the tab so closely as to secure the hook thereon independently of its locking relationship therewith. Notwithstanding the double interlocking relationship, it will be seen that the hook and tab may be assembled quickly, easil and by a simple twisting motion, and it follows that by the present teachings this invention provides a quick, convenient and economical means of maintaining a hanger terminal fitting in a predetermined position on an envelope during its transit through the mails.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by United States Letters Patent is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a paper mailing envelope having a front panel, a closure flap and a crease between the said panel and closure flap forming a hinge for said flap; together with a hanger supporting tab positioned immediately under said flap and having its free end projecting substantially to the crease between the flap and the front panel of the envelope, so that the flap, when closed and sealed in position, will closely overlie the end of said tab to secure a hanger in position thereon.

2. As an article of manufacture, a paper mailing envelope having a front panel, a back panel, a closure flap and a crease between the said front panel and closure flap forming a hinge for said flap; together with a hanger supporting tab formed directly on the paper of the back panel and immediately under said flap and having its free end projecting substantially to the crease between the flap and the front panel of the envelope, so that the flap, when closed and sealed in position, will closely overlie the end of said tab to secure a wire hanger in position thereon.

3. As an article of manufacture, a paper mailing envelope having a front panel, a closure flap and a crease between the said panel and closure flap forming a hinge for said flap; together with a card positioned within the envelope and a hanger supporting tab formed on one edge of said card and positioned immediately under said flap and having its free end projecting substantially tothe crease between the flap and the front panel of the envelope, so that the flap, when closed and sealed in position, will closely overlie the end of said tab to secure a hanger in position thereon.

4. As an article of manufacture, a paper mailing envelope having a front panel, a closure flap anda crease between the said panel and closure flap forming a hinge for said flap; together with REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file 01 this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 526,523 Fisher Sept. 25, 1894 6 606,349 Teffert June 28, 1898 1,464,435 McDernott Aug. '7, 1923 1,465,619 Alling Aug. 21, 1923 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 283,775 Italy Mar. 23, 1931 

